The federally endangered northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) has been documented along the Missouri river by the western borders of North Dakota and Northern border of South Dakota, yet its distribution and habitat use in the central portion of North Dakota remain poorly understood. This study sought to investigate the presence of northern long-eared bats in riparian habitats of central North Dakota while also examining bat species richness and its relationship with canopy cover. Ten Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter SM5 acoustic detectors were deployed across wildlife management areas from early June through early August to document bat activity and characterize local bat communities. Although a few acoustic recordings were identified as potential northern long-eared bat calls, the evidence was insufficient to confidently confirm the species' presence at surveyed locations. Additional analyses examined variation in bat species richness across sampling sites and its relationship with canopy cover. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between canopy cover and bat species richness, with more densely vegetated sites supporting a greater number of acoustically detected bat species. While the occurrence of northern long-eared bats in central North Dakota remains uncertain, these findings provide valuable baseline information on bat communities and habitat characteristics within the region. Continued acoustic monitoring, paired with targeted capture and roost surveys, may help clarify the distribution of northern long-eared bats and inform future conservation efforts in the Northern Great Plains.